Gene J. Puskar | Associated PressTemple quarterback Chester Stewart is hauled down by Penn State safety David Soldner and linebacker Josh Hull, right, during first quarter of last Saturday's game in State College, Pa.

PHILADELPHIA -- Temple redshirt freshman quarterback Chester Stewart wasn't thrown to the wolves last weekend in his first collegiate experience under center.

He was thrown to the Lions, which proved to be just as daunting.

Stewart replaced redshirt senior Adam DiMichele, who separated his throwing shoulder in the first quarter against 12th-ranked Penn State. The Owls (1-3) got thumped 45-3, while Stewart finished with three interceptions in his only game experience heading into Saturday's homecoming date with Western Michigan University.

Stewart's collegiate football debut began in front of a hostile Happy Valley crowd, with the Owls offense pinned inside their own 10-yard line.

"He got put in a tough situation," Temple coach Al Golden said. "Overall, I was satisfied that he was such a competitor and the moment wasn't too big for him, and I think a lot of the guys on the staff, and certainly on the team, were energized by that."

Unfortunate circumstances continue to pile up for an improving program that's lost its last three games, two of which -- Buffalo and Connecticut -- were decided on the final drive. The Owls lost a quarterback who totaled 1,595 yards and 12 touchdowns last year (in less than a full season), replaced by an unproven youngster who was third on the depth chart in 2007.

"In this case, you're going basically from a 23-year-old man, a mature leader that was our starter, to a 19-year-old kid who is making his first college start," Golden said. "There is disparity there and there are obviously differences there, but we have to find ways to produce on offense and to score. That's the trick right now, how to minimize letting them jump on us every play and get Chester Stewart opportunities to move the football."

Golden had no update on DiMichele, only to say that it was a shoulder injury and that he could be out for three to six weeks. Vaughn Charlton, a junior who made the start at quarterback in last year's 16-3 loss to the Broncos, moved to second on the depth chart.

Now, an offense that's been struggling to move the ball on the ground and averages just 18 points a game will search for others to step up -- while banking on its defense, which has been both stifling and inconsistent.

"I don't think we've played good defense," Golden said. "I don't think we've tackled well. We're not getting off the field on third down and we're not good against the run right now. I see flashes and I know what we are capable of doing, I'm just not seeing it on a consistent, play-in and play-out basis."

It doesn't help matters when the Owls sputter on offense for quick three-and-outs, something seen in healthy portions in all three of their losses. Sophomore linebacker Elijah Joseph said it's not a factor.

"We pride ourselves in (coming right back on the field and defending)," Joseph said. "A defense having confidence in an offense is very important. Sometimes they may not make some plays, but you need to keep your confidence in the offense."
Golden echoed that sentiment.

"If the defense expects anything out of the offense, it's never going to reach its full potential," he said. "The defense has got to, no matter what the situation, they need to be able to attack, execute and finish."

Confidence seemed to be the key phrase thrown around the press conferences, genuine or not, as junior wide receiver Dy'Onne Crudup said he had "supreme confidence" in his rookie quarterback. He added that with the bulk of Temple's MAC schedule staring down on it, the Owls are attempting to mentally start over.

"Right now, we're treating it as a new season," Crudup said. "The last four games, those are in the past. We have a clean slate, 0-0. We're looking at it as a new season, concentrating on the MAC."